Animal rights campaigners have vowed to fight on despite the imprisonment of the co-founder of their group.

On Friday, Mel Broughton, who 10 years ago set up animal rights campaign group SPEAC
-- which later became Speak, was found guilty of plotting arson attacks on Oxford University buildings.

The 48-year-old from Semilong Road, Northampton, was convicted of conspiracy to commit arson and was jailed for 10 years.

Last night, the campaign group that Broughton set up to oppose the building of the university's 18m-pound Biomedical Sciences Building, in South Parks Road, vowed to continue its non-violent campaign against animal experimentation.

A spokesman said: "Mel Broughton founded Speak and dedicated his life to working tirelessly for animal rights.

"We will be continuing our campaign in Oxford -- and this has in no way affected it.

"While there are animals suffering in Oxford laboratories, Speak will be there."